King County Council Approves King Conservation District Work Plan & Budget
Published 2:14 pm Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The Metropolitan King County Council voted 8-0 to authorize the King Conservation District’s 2015 program of work and budget. The Council’s action crowned more than 18 months of roundtable discussions among the full-range of the District’s constituents.
Priorities in the District’s new work plan include fostering sustainable regional food systems, rural and urban forestry, rural and urban agriculture, shoreline and riparian habitats, and expanded landowner incentives.
As Council Chair Larry Phillips stated, “This is a new day for the King Conservation District.” Based on recommendations of a special Conservation Panel & Task Force convened by King County and the KCD Advisory Committee, the King Conservation District’s expanded program of work serves both urban and rural communities and brings the region together around a common set of natural resource investments.
The 2015 KCD program of work and rates and charges are the product of a collaborative agreement among the regional stakeholders, including the Sound Cities Association, civic organizations and private landowners. Bill Knutsen, KCD Board Chair, told the King County Council, “Your vision has changed forever the way that the KCD does business.”
The ordinance approved today included a five year system of rates and charges to fund the King Conservation District near the legislative ceiling of $10.00 per parcel. With increased emphasis on serving the needs of urban constituents, the new work plan and budget will enable KCD to respond to increased demands for local food, healthy forests and clean water.
About the King Conservation District
The King Conservation District is an independent, non-regulatory public agency devoted to protecting and enhancing natural resources in our service area. The District serves 34 municipalities and unincorporated King County, with a combined population of 1.8 million. For details on KCD’s 2015 Program of Work see: www.kingcd.org/program-of-work.htm
